Choosing your Wireless Hardware
The hardware you buy will depend on what you intend to use your Wireless network for, and how large it will be.
There are two modes of operation for Wireless equipment - Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure.
Compatibility should also be considered - for larger networks you are best using devices by the same manufacturer to ensure the equipment can communicate properly.
Modes of Operation
Ad-Hoc
This is used to create an enclosed Network to allow computers with Wireless client adapters to exchange information between each other. An Ad-Hoc network does not connect to a Wired network - so can not be used to connect to the Internet.
For an Ad-Hoc network you would require a Wireless client adapter for each machine. Zen sells the following devices which can be used for this type of connection:
Client:
- Netgear WG 121 - USB device, ideal for desktop or Laptop users.
- Netgear WG 511 - PC CardBus, ideal for Laptop users.
- Airport - Apple Mac-specific 802.11b Wireless card (check your hardware specifications for compatibility).
- Airport Extreme - Apple Mac-specific 802.11g/b Wireless card (check your hardware specifications for compatibility).
- D-Link DWL-900AP+ Access Point - Ethernet device, operating in client mode. This is ideal if your system does not support USB, but you have a Wired Ethernet card in your machine.
Infrastructure
This is used to join a Wireless network to a Wired network. Computers on your network would use Wireless client adapters to communicate via an Access Point or Wireless Router - linked to the Wired network. This allows resources on the Wired network to be used by Computers on the Wireless network, including printers and an Internet connection.
For an Infrastructure network you would require a Wireless client adapter for each machine that you want to connect Wirelessly. You will also need an Access Point to connect the Wireless and Wired networks, or a Wireless Router for smaller Wireless networks.
Zen Internet sells the following devices which can be used for this type of connection:
Client:
- Netgear WG 121
- Netgear WG 511
- Airport
- Airport Extreme
Access Point:
- Netgear WG 602 - Ethernet device, ideal if you already have an ADSL Router/Modem.
- Airport Extreme Base Station - Ethernet device, ideal if you already have an ADSL Modem (e.g. the D-Link 300) and have at least one Apple Mac on your network (required for configuration purposes).
Wireless ADSL Router/Modem:
- Draytek Vigor 2600G Wireless ADSL Router/Modem - Ethernet Wireless ADSL Router/Modem - capable of acting as the Access Point in smaller networks.
- Netgear DG 834G Wireless ADSL Router/Modem - Ethernet Wireless ADSL Router/Modem - capable of acting as the Access Point in smaller networks.
For larger networks, or networks with poor line-of-sight, you are advised to use multiple Access Points by the same manufacturer to provide Seamless Roaming, and ensure device compatibility.
Multiple Access Points would extend the range of the Wireless network, as well as allow machines to be moved without interruption (useful for Laptop users). A standard ADSL Router/Modem should be used to provide Internet access - linked via Ethernet cable to one of the Access Points.
Zen Internet would recommend the following setup for a Wireless network:
Clients:
- Netgear WG 121
- Netgear WG 511
- Airport
- Airport Extreme
Access Point:
- Multiple Netgear WG 602s.
- Multiple Airport Extreme Base Stations (this product is capable of working in a 'daisy-chain' setup. An Apple Mac is required for configuration purposes).
Internet Access:
- Draytek Vigor 2600 ADSL Router/Modem.
- Netgear DG 834
- D-Link 300 (if you are using an Airport Extreme Base Station)